What is Tennis?
Tennis is a sport played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). It is played on a rectangular court with a net stretched across the middle. The game is played with rackets, with each player hitting a ball over the net and trying to make it land inside the court of their opponent.
History of Tennis
Tennis is believed to have originated in France in the 12th century. It was originally called jeu de paume, meaning “game of the palm.” The game was originally played with bare hands and a glove, rather than a racket. The first court was made of clay and in the 16th century, the first set of rules were established. The game has since evolved and is now played globally.
Objective of Tennis
The objective of tennis is to out score your opponent. This is done by hitting the ball in such a way that your opponent is unable to return it. The first player or team to win two out of three sets wins the match.
Basic Rules of Tennis
Tennis is a relatively easy game to learn, but mastering it takes time and practice. Here are the basic rules of tennis:
Scoring
Tennis is scored in a different way than most sports. Instead of keeping track of points, the score is kept in “games”. A game is won when one player or team has won four points, with a minimum of two points difference between the two players or teams.
Serving
The player who is serving must hit the ball over the net and within the boundaries of the court. The serve must be done with an underhand stroke and the ball must land in the opposite court.
Rallies
A rally is a series of shots exchanged between two players. The players must hit the ball over the net, and it must land within the boundaries of their opponent’s court. The first player to fail to return the ball correctly loses the rally.
Faults
A fault is any shot that does not follow the rules of tennis. This includes shots that land outside of the court, shots that hit the net or are not hit correctly, and double faults. The player who commits the fault loses the point.
Let
A let is when a shot is not played properly but the point is replayed. This can happen when the ball touches the net on a serve or a shot is blocked by a player.
Deuce
When the score is tied at 40-40, the score is called “deuce”. At this point, the players must win two consecutive points in order to win the game.
Advantage
If a player wins one consecutive point after deuce, they are said to have the “advantage”. If they then win the next point, they win the game. If the other player wins the point, the score goes back to deuce.
Tiebreaks
If the score of a set is tied at 6-6, a tiebreak is played. The tiebreak is played until one player or team wins seven points with a two-point lead.
Tennis Etiquette
Tennis is an enjoyable game and has some unwritten rules of etiquette that should be followed by all players:
- Be Respectful – Respect your opponents and the rules of the game.
- Be Ready – Be ready to serve and return shots as quickly as possible.
- Be Honest – Be honest when calling shots and keep score accurately.
- Be Positive – Keep a positive attitude and have fun!
Tennis Equipment
Tennis is a relatively inexpensive sport to get into. The basic equipment needed is a racket, a ball and a court. The racket should be matched to the player’s ability and size, and the ball should be a high-quality, pressurized ball. The court should be a flat, level surface with a net in the middle.
Conclusion
Tennis is an enjoyable game that can be played by people of all ages and abilities. By following the basic rules of tennis, players can enjoy the game and improve their skills. The game is also relatively inexpensive to get into, with a racket, ball and court being the only equipment needed. So grab your racket and get out on the court!